Atmospheres

      These two will want to shoot me for posting this picture below, that was taken last week during a worship time, but it makes me giggle as we look like Christmas Carolers, but it makes my heart feel happy and full at the same time. These two are family to me and have pieces of my heart, I love them dearly. They are two of my closest and best without a doubt. They've taught me so much, not by "instruction" but by just living and being real with me. Our friendship solidly bonded on trust, honesty and loyalty with a clear solid passion for worship. They've, by way of the Holy Spirit, have taught me more about atmospheres than anyone else.  These two know I am, over all, a sensitive person. I admit to it,  but with that being said, I also now understand and am very sensitive to atmospheres, especially when I first walk into a place.  I can tell you if there is peace there or chaos.  If it is a church I can tell if worship takes place there continually or if it has to be 'worked up' every Sunday.  When I speak or sing somewhere, I can tell pretty quickly if the Spirit is free to move or if it is just a time for people to come together and eat and receive snacks. There is a difference and you can feel that difference in the atmosphere.  I also KNOW I'm responsible for my own "atmosphere" and what I bring to it.  It's my job to make sure my heart is right or it could effect the atmosphere, and getting it where it should be takes work at times and a whole lot of self honesty.
      People create the atmosphere.  If you are walking in the love of God and a worshipful heart, you create a certain atmosphere.  If you are thankful you create a certain atmosphere.  On the other hand if every little thing makes you angry, you, too, are creating an atmosphere.  If you are always looking for what is wrong with a person, you are creating a particular atmosphere.  If you are negative and expecting the worst you are creating an atmosphere conducive of the worst negative things to happen in your life.  I am saying all this to say; whatever you are carrying around on you - you are releasing it into the atmosphere and creating THAT atmosphere.  It is just like carrying a flu virus, wherever you go, whatever you touch, you are releasing that flu virus into the atmosphere and onto the people.
     What are you releasing?  Are you releasing chaos?  Are you releasing anger?  Are you releasing bitterness?  Are you releasing love?  Are you releasing the presence of God?  Are you releasing peace?
    We should be such a people that when we walk into a place if the atmosphere is wrong, it should immediately change because the presence of God is so strong on us.  We should walk into a room and release anointing, burden removing, yoke destroying anointing.  How cool would it be to walk into a room and have such an anointing on you, such a presence of God on you that burdens are instantly removed?   Super cool, I would think.
      I want you to check your heart today, check the atmosphere in your home, in your car, at your job....is it one of peace?  Is it one that is conducive to the presence of God remaining there?  It's up to you - you create the atmosphere.  Even if someone in your life is creating a bad atmosphere, the Bible says the greater one lives inside you - you can change the atmosphere.  You and God are the majority; simply seek His face on how to change the atmosphere.
   We are all carrying something today - what are you carrying?  We are releasing something today - what is it?  Let's make sure we carry His presence, His peace and release that into the world and the church - it is, after all, exactly what is needed.